The Death Blow

Aliyah looked at Vexana and said, "She hasn't come to senses till now. What should be the reason? Did you contact with the old scholars?" Vexana said, "All those old scholars have passed away ages ago. The new scholars are not very versed with these ancient diseases. After the First War, many old libraries perished and many mountains were destroyed by the demons and ogres alike." Aliyah caressed Alice's forehead and said, "Poor girl. Being born with a weak body has cost her dearly. But, she has to learn to endure such small disturbances if she wants to defeat Xao Chang. Vexana, go and find Elgin. He might have someone in his long lost family who can tell us why Alice is still unconscious." Vexana said, "Alright, I will see." Aliyah looked at Alice and sighed, "Matters have gone way more worse than we expected. I boast that I am so much smart and powerful, but in reality I am just as useless as are you. We complete each other and without you I'm unable to do any right job even if I want to do it so badly. Kayuba and his sidekick forced me to let them help us and I couldn't muster the strength to deny them. Now, Elgin impregnated Cindy and Vexana let you go unconscious. Only Mother Manaca can help us now." Aliyah kissed her forehead and walked outside the room.

Aliyah was walking through the hallway, when Elgin called, "Aliyah. Wait a minute. I have something important to discuss with you." Aliyah turned and looked at Elgin. She asked, "What important matter?" Elgin replied, "As you know that I'm going to be a father soon, I want you to visit Namaria and tell my family members the happy news. It will be better if they know that a new member is coming in our family." Aliyah asked, "Why don't you go there yourself? They will be much more happy if you tell them the good news yourself." Elgin smiled, "I wanted that too, but I haven't went there since the First War and hugely neglected my family thereafter. I was not present on my father's funeral or my brother's funeral. Mother and my sisters are very angry with me. Now, if I go there all of a sudden and tell them that I impregnated a mortal and that too without her consent, I don't think they will appreciate it." Aliyah said, "So, you are making me the sacrificial lamb." Elgin said, "Definitely not. They will listen you to your reason. But, just don't use much details. The mortal part should be narrated in such a way that no guilt comes in my conjugal relationship." Aliyah asked, "Conjugal?" Elgin said, "Of course I'm going to marry Cindy. After the war is finished and Kystion is dead, my first step will be marrying Cindy. That is also the reason why I would like to my family to know about the upcoming baby." Aliyah said, "Don't act like a madman, Elgin. Do you really think your family members or anyone in the whole elf kingdom will accept your topsy-turvy alliance?" Elgin asked annoyed, "Then, what will I do?" Aliyah said, "Kill her." Elgin said angrily, "What the fuck are you saying, Aliyah? How can you even say such nonsense?" Aliyah said, "That skinny girl can't push an elf baby out of her tiny hole. And even if she does, how will she survive afterwards? She will definitely die from excessive bleeding." Elgin said, "I have contacted some great doctors and they have said that such childbirths are possible." Aliyah sighed, "Fine. Have it your way. But, I'm not going to Namaria alone. Your mother is now old and feeble and your elder sister, Licha governs your homeland now along with her husband, Gilbert. Your younger sister, Vera is currently a teacher in some neighbouring kingdom." Elgin asked, "Why is Vera not with Licha?" Aliyah said, "You know how Vera is. Vera was not happy with your mother's decision to appoint Licha as the governess of Namaria and she revolted and eloped from the palace. But allegedly things are getting better between your sisters now, so they might be present in your wedding. But, still I don't want to meet Licha. She is a mean bitch." Elgin smiled, "Come on. She ain't that bad." They formed a sphere around them and went towards Namaria.

Namaria was the third largest country of the elf kingdom. It is the major country where most of the magic schools and institutions are situated and also it the home of many legends who fought valiantly in the First War. It is located near the Gangu Sea which is the main source of water for the elf kingdom. Elves spent their vacations here and majority of the mountains and hills are also present here. Namaria is the only country to have an independent adminstrative body consisting of its own members and councillors. The grand palace of Namaria, named after the first queen of elf kingdom, Queen Thysilma is one the most elegant and secured palace of the elf kingdom. Demons and ogres could never seize it due to it being on Mount Sadila which was the hardest mountain to climb. Elgin's family was not royal from the beginning, but when Aliyah's great-great grandfather's brother Prince Olyscilus raped an elf and got her pregnant, Aliyah's great-great-grandfather built the palace for them. The elf girl whom Prince Olyscilus impregnated was Princess Leia, the daughter of King Samanand who was the first elf to build magic schools and institutions in the elf kingdom. King Samanand considered that unfortunate event as a good omen and proposed that the palace should be named after his grandmother, Queen Thysilma and it should always belong to the descendants of her daughter. From then onwards, the palace remained Elgin's family's property.

Elgin and Aliyah landed on the entrance of the palace and Elgin walked towards the guard and said, "Let us in." The guard looked at him and said, "You cannot go inside, boy. Queen Licha has commanded all of us to keep strangers away from the palace." Aliyah smiled, "Don't you know who he is? Go and tell your queen that her brother has come to meet her." The guard looked at them sceptically and said, "You have to show me adequate proof that you are Prince Elgin." Elgin said, "Fine." He opened his pants and showed him his buttocks. Elgin said, "Look the tattoo closely. It is the royal sigil of Namaria. A blue swan." The guard asked, "Why is it on your buttock?" Elgin wore his pants and said, "Times were hard. Mom wanted me to hide my sigil and had it tattooed on my buttock. Can you let us go now?" The guard looked at Aliyah and asked, "Who is this lady?" Aliyah said annoyed, "Seriously? No one remembers me now. I am the fucking Warrior Princess Aliyah. Now, let us pass or I will chop your head off." The guard said, "Are you threatening me, young lady? I will not let you pass through till you ask for my forgiveness." Elgin said, "You are going to regret this. When Queen Licha discovers that you have insulted her brother and called her a "bitch", she will send you straight to the guillotine." The guard asked, "When did I called Queen Licha a "bitch"?" Elgin smiled, "Never. But, why would she believe the words of a mere guard when her own brother is telling the truth?" The guard said, "Go. But, remember that if you are not Queen Licha's brother, you two are going to get executed on charges of deception." Elgin laughed and went away. Aliyah said, "Such a rude guard! This is what happens when a weak ruler is sitting on the throne." Elgin said, "Licha has been a kind soul from the beginning. I'm sure that she is ruling Namaria in a good and just manner." Aliyah said grimly, "I cannot trust a person who believes in non-violence. A queen who decides to be patient with her enemies can never achieve peace and prosperity in her reign. I wonder what did your mother saw in Licha to anoint her as her successor." Elgin smiled, "My mom is a wise woman. She must have chosen her successor with great concern and intelligence." Aliyah smiled, "Your mom has gone full nuts. She pushed her husband and all her sons to go and fight in the war and now she advocates non-violence and loathes wars. What a turnaround!" Elgin smiled, "She is more than a thousand years and with age comes drastic change. She was vigorous earlier but now she is slow and therefore doesn't like violence. Unlike you, some people like to see their kin alive." Aliyah said, "I also want my kin to be alive. But, in this brutal environment survival has become bloody. Demons, ogres, corrupt mortals and other such evil elements of the world deserves to die. There is no reformation for them."

Elgin smiled, "That's very pessimistic, Aliyah." Aliyah smiled, "That's how the world has become." Elgin and Aliyah turned when a maid called, "Elgin. Queen Mother is calling you to go to her room. Bring Aliyah as well." Elgin and Aliyah looked at each other and followed the maid. They entered the room and saw that Elgin's mother, Sejasha Borj Versalis was lying on the bed getting massage from the young maidens. She looked at Elgin and Aliyah and smiled, "It has become quite scarce to meet my son nowadays. He is always so busy doing something not very important. Aliyah, how are you my child? It's been ages since I last saw you." Elgin and Aliyah sat near her and hugged her. Sejasha smiled, "Are you planning on breaking my bones, foolish kids? I have become quite fragile nowadays. Going to the lavatory without support is like a blessing nowadays." Elgin asked, "What happened to you?" Sejasha smiled, "Typical old woman stuff. Weak bones, weak eyesight, weak hearing and weak heartbeats. Anyway, how come you came to me today?" Elgin smiled, "Why? Can't a son meet his mother without any reason?" Sejasha laughed, "That would have worked with a commoner, my son. But, I am not a commoner. I have seen more people than you two combined. Now, tell me what brings you two to Namaria?" Aliyah smiled, "Clever as always. We wanted to share a good news with you." Sejasha asked, "What good news?" Aliyah replied, "Elgin is going to make you a granny. He is going to be a father." Sejasha smiled, "Good! Finally, Elgin is doing something for the well-being of Namaria's future. Who is the mother?" Elgin smiled, "Her name is Cindy Watwell. She is from the mortal world and we love each other immensely." Sejasha asked, "Did you just say the mother of my grandchild is a mortal?" Aliyah and Elgin nodded in approval. Sejasha sighed, "Fuck! How many times have I told you that we elves don't mingle with mortals. Our ancestors very boldly made this statement and ordered us to follow it. Mingling with mortals have only brought disaster on us." Elgin said, "Don't forget that Aliyah is a mortal too. She and her family has been good allies and closest friends from centuries. This absurd rules are both ancient and meaningless." Sejasha said angrily, "Don't you dare insult your ancestors in the very palace they built for us. You, new generation kids have no respect for traditions and rules. Don't forget that you can only grow up when your roots are firm." Elgin said angrily, "I love her and she loves me and now we are going to be parents. Why are you so opposed to our relationship? You broke every rule and boundaries at the time of war and now when it is for a good cause. A cause that will bring rejoice to Namaria and you are disagreeing with it." Sejasha said, "Don't act like a fool, Elsinore. You perfectly know that a mortal can't have an elf's baby. That's physically impossible. Your girlfriend is risking her life for love." Elgin said, "I have talked with a few doctors and they have said that modern medical sciences have the ability to perform such a critical operation." Sejasha laughed, "My highly educated son is believing these nonsense from some nonsense people. These fake doctors will say anything to appease you and then will con you. Aliyah, put some sense in his head." Aliyah said grimly, "I think Elgin is right. Cindy is pregnant with your grandchild. Abortion is impossible and therefore the only way is to give birth to the baby. Now, logical thinking says that it will be harmful for both the mother and the baby, but again emotional thinking says that we have to try our best to keep both the mother and the baby safe by any means possible."

Sejasha said, "So, both of you have already made your decision, I see. Then, what do you have come here for?" Elgin said, "I have decided to marry Cindy and I have come here to personally invite you all to come to the wedding without any hassle." Sejasha laughed, "Like wedding was not inevitable. Fine. But, for us to come without any hassle, you have to do something." Elgin asked, "What do I have to do?" Sejasha said, "You have to... kill your sister."...